Springfield, Mass., Officer Reassigned After School Incident With A Student

Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno addresses a press conference regarding a "physical interaction" between a police officer and student at a city middle school.

Adam Frenier
/ NEPR

An alleged incident between a Springfield, Massachusetts, officer assigned to a city school and a student is under investigation by the police department.

City officials said a "physical interaction" took place last week at Kiley Middle School. But during a press conference Tuesday, they offered few details.

Interim Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood said the incident came to light after the student's doctor alerted state child welfare officials.

"The child had minor injuries, and when questioned by the doctor about a bruise, he mentioned his interaction with the resource officer," Clapprood said. "We'll look into that. That was our first knowledge."

The unnamed officer has been reassigned to desk duty at the police station.

This is the second questionable incident between a student and resource officer at a city school in the last year, with an altercation caught on tape at the High School of Commerce in December.

Clapprood also said she plans to look into the so-called "Quebec Unit" — which officers working in schools belong to — and its role.

School Superintendent Daniel Warwick said the officer's presence has been helpful in several ways.

"With the cooperation of our police unit, our arrests are down to probably 10 percent of what they once were in the school," Warwick said. "Our suspensions are down, and the schools are safer than they've ever been."

An internal police investigation is underway for the latest incident, and the case is being referred to the Hampden district attorney's office.